Wayne Parnell got off to a winning start in the Afghanistan Premier League (APL) and was one of his side’s most economical bowlers in the high-scoring T20 opener in Sharjah.
The Worcestershire all-rounder helped Kabul Zwanan to a three wicket victory as they chased down a 219 target set by Patkia Panthers.
Parnell, who has signed a three year contract with the County until the end of the 2021 season, sent down his four overs for 34 runs.
He also picked up the wicket of Pakistan T20 legend Shahid Afridi for just a single.
But opener and skipper Mohammad Shahzad (67 off 39 balls) and Sikandar Raza (78 not out off 40 deliveries) helped Paktia to send a challenging target.
The game looked to have swung Patkia’s way when Parnell, who went in at number eight, was dismissed for a first ball duck, caught and bowled by Sharafuddin Ashraf.
Kabul were then 170-7 off 16.1 overs but Sussex’s Laurie Evans, who had also batted well when on the losing side to the Rapids in the Vitality Blast final, had other ideas.
He smashed an unbeaten 79 off just 39 deliveries and added 50 in exactly three overs with Fareed Ahmed (14 not out) to see Kabul home with five balls to spare.
Parnell and his team-mates return to action later today (Saturday) when they do battle with Balkh Legends.
